'Flight'

Denzel Washington

Paramount

Paramount

Jay Bobbin

Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington is no stranger to acting challenges, and he has one of his biggest yet in this compelling drama from director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"). Inspired by experiences of screenwriter John Gatins, the film casts Washington as a pilot who saves his passenger-packed plane from disaster by making seemingly impossible maneuvers.

His immediate fame then threatens to uncover personal vices that could end his career, among other possible fallout. Don Cheadle, John Goodman and Melissa Leo also are in the excellent cast, but this clearly is Washington's show. *** (R: AS, N, P) (Also on Blu-ray)